European equity markets traded mostly lower on Wednesday, as persistent trade-related uncertainty linked to Greenland kept investors cautious.
On the macro front, U.K. inflation surprised to the upside in December. Data from the Office for National Statistics showed consumer prices rose 3.4% year on year, up from 3.2% in November and above expectations for a 3.3% reading.
Equity benchmarks reflected the risk-off mood. Germany’s DAX fell around 1.4%, France’s CAC 40 was down 0.6%, while the U.K.’s FTSE 100 slipped 0.1%.
At the stock level, Webuild Group (BIT:WBD) shares advanced after its U.S. subsidiary, together with joint venture partner Superior Construction, signed contracts worth $643 million for the Westshore Interchange project in Florida.
Shares in Barry Callebaut (BIT:1BARN) rallied after the cocoa and chocolate group named former Unilever chief executive Schumacher as its new CEO.
Asset manager Aberdeen Group (LSE:ABDN) also moved higher, despite reporting net outflows of £3.9 billion ($5.24 billion) in 2025, which it attributed to ongoing budget uncertainty.
Luxury stocks were mixed but Burberry Group (LSE:BRBY) surged after the company said retail like-for-like sales rose 3% in the third quarter, beating market expectations.
JD Sports Fashion (LSE:JD.) also posted solid gains following the release of mixed but resilient Christmas trading figures.
On the downside, shares of Experian (LSE:EXPN) dropped sharply after the credit data and analytics group left its full-year outlook unchanged, disappointing some investors looking for an upgrade.
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